The boys of Bourne protest of 1890

Hereward's Field next to the Wellhead at Bourne, from 
a picture postcard dated 1906

The recreation ground in Bourne did not open until 1911 although another location was in use prior to that mainly due to a protest by the boys of Bourne that they had nowhere to play. This is not only a heartening tale of help from on high but also an illustration of how speedily things could be done in those days before our local affairs became bogged down in a burgeoning bureaucracy. 

In the spring of 1890, the lads from both the Grammar and the Board schools called a meeting and decided to lodge a formal protest with their newly elected M P, Mr Henry Cust, the member for the Stamford division which also included Bourne. They then drew up a petition which was handed to his agent, Mr J Pask, on April 23rd and he forwarded it to the House of Commons. The petition said: "Will you be so good as to try if you can to get us boys a recreation ground? We have no field where we can play cricket or football or anything. No one cares for us, like they do for the boys of Sleaford and Stamford who have just had a jolly playground given to them. We know a fine level piece near Bourne station, just like a park. We should be glad if you would help us to get that and we do hope we shall not be disappointed. We have signed this petition which Mr Pask says he will show to you. You will be sure to do something for us because you know what boys want." 

The petition had the full support of the Stamford Mercury whose correspondent had got to hear of the protest and the newspaper reported on Friday 2nd May: "The rising generation at Bourne are not minded to be behind the times. They have that not uncommon thing - a 'want' - and they have adopted the time-honoured plan of their elders in bringing their 'want' under the notice of the member. On Saturday, the petition, signed by some scores of them, was duly presented to Mr Cust. The enterprise of the youngsters deserves to be rewarded with success. A convenient recreation ground for them would prove an inestimable boon."

Mr Cust replied from the Commons on Monday 5th May saying: "To the Boys of Bourne: I regret to say that your communication dated April 23rd has only reached me this morning, an unlucky delay which I cannot account for. I entirely agree that you ought if possible to have a good grass field near the town where you can play your cricket and football and other games together, and I will do all I can to help you get one. Parliament makes plenty of laws to see that you work hard and gets lots of schooling but I think myself that it is quite important, if you are to grow up into sturdy Englishmen, that you should play hard and get plenty of exercise for your arms and legs. I hope, as long as you are boys, you will pay just as much attention to the rules of cricket as you do to the game of life. I will set about doing what you wish at once and perhaps something may be able to be arranged by Whit Monday, when I hope to come to Bourne."

The letter was read out to a meeting of the boys that had been called in the grounds of the grammar school next day by one of the senior pupils and was greeted with loud cheers all round.

Mr Cust was as good as his word. On Thursday 20th May, he visited Bourne to make inquiries about a suitable piece of land that could be used as a recreation ground. No decision was reached but by the time he returned to London, a committee comprising interested and influential townspeople had been formed and several venues were under discussion. The Stamford Mercury reported: "It is expected that arrangements will be made by Monday for the grounds being thrown open free for the use of the boys of Bourne."

The following Monday was Whit Monday and a public holiday  but the committee had been speedy in its deliberations and by then they had arranged with Mr Henry Goodyear, a local farmer, for the boys to use Hereward's Field, an area of grassland covering ten acres next to the Wellhead to the west of Bourne. Mr Cust arrived from London at noon and was met at the railway station by a large crowd of boys all cheering and shouting. They then paraded through the town to their new recreation ground, headed by the Bourne Town Brass Band with Mr Cust, Mr Goodyear and members of the committee following in a wagonette. On arrival, there were speeches of congratulation that the objective had been achieved in such a short time. 

"It is a great pleasure that the needs of the lads have been met", said Mr Goodyear. "I hope the boys will grow up healthy and strong and become good cricketers into the bargain."

Mr Cust thanked Mr Goodyear for making the recreation ground possible. "It is through his kindness and of others, that the boys of this town will now have a good field in which to play their games", he said. "I entirely concur with what Mr Goodyear has said with regard to cricket being a manly game and I hope I will be present when the boys play their first match and win. In fact I hope to participate in this victorious cricket as I have just done in a victorious election. I therefore declare this recreation ground open and hope that the boys of Bourne will for many years enjoy the benefits to be derived from it."

Mr John Whyles, one of the committee members, thanked Mr Cust for the part he had played in procuring the field for the boys and Mr Goodyear for his kindness in meeting their requirements. "What has been done will be an inestimable boon to the rising generation and I have great pleasure, on behalf of the boys, in thanking those gentlemen."

The boys responded with hearty cheers and then settled down to a game of cricket in which Mr Cust joined them for a short spell.

The land continued in use until 1911 when the present ground in Recreation Road was opened to celebrate the coronation of King George V. Hereward's Field was subsequently purchased by Bourne United Charities in 1945 for preservation as an open space and is now part of the Wellhead Gardens and known as the Wellhead Field.